Slub-catcher and yarn-cleaner



Sept. 12, 1933. E, PARKS 1,926,497

SLUB QATCHER AND YARN CLEANER Filed Oct. 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l /77kzaze J:

Sept. 12, 1933.

E. F. PARKS SLUB CATCHER AND YARN CLEANER Filed Oct. 22, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept; 12, 1933 swn oa'ronnn AND YAnN oLEANER Edward F. Parks, Providence, R51; assignor tof Universal Winding Company, Bostn, Mas's.,; a

" corporation of Massachusetts Application October"22, 1 930. seriain 453M9 2; v

" Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in slubcatchers and yarn-cleaners for removing slubs,.

vice ofthe type specifiedhaving a slit or opening through which the yarn draws withme'ans for adjusting the width of the slit with great precision and accuracy in accordance withldifferent upon. V a

Another object of the inventionis to provide a 'device of the type specified wherein the yarn-j slit or opening is maintained of uniform width thrcughout its entire lengthunder all conditions "of adjustment so that 'the' device will. operate with maximum efiiciencywhatever the position of the strand dra'wing' through the slit.

Another object of the'invention is to provide a a device of the type specified wherein theoppo'site elements" which form the slit areautomatically .self aIining to maintain the width of the slit nniformafter adjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified of simple construe-- forth in the 'follovvi ng specification whichde scribes a preferred form ofconstruction of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings:

V Fig. 1 isa view of a conventional type of wind- 4=0 ing machine showing the present improved slubr catcher and yarn-cleaner applieditonse there- 'with for cleaning the yarn as it' delivers toethe package being wound;

v Fig. 3lisa side viewof the same; F -F1g. 4- is anz'endiview of the deviceshowing how the yarn feedstherethrough; i n

5- is a vertical sectional view taken til the,

Fig. 6 is} a perspective View ofthe resilient v clarhping-meansfor the adjustable element of the device I 8 is a furtherenlarged end-view o f thisf latterfform of construction embodying thednvention. l

i The present invention relatestcimprovemehts infthattype of slub-catchers.or yarn cleaners 6 constituted by two opposite members having per-v tions arranged in parallelspacedrelationship to form a slit or opening through whiclijthe yarn V is drawn to scrape lint, motesand other foreign 'matterther'efrom, while also providing fon'the detection ofsslubsfand abnormal enlargements on the yarn to prevent their passage-gthrough the'slit whereby the yarn is broken .so that thev imperfect section may be removed 15 sizes orthickness-oi' the material to b'e'operated the two opposite slit-formingmembers areicon stituted oneas a fixed blade or plate having an a. edge across'which theyarn draws andthe'other as a cylindrical pin orrod which is adapted to be adjusted to bring its periphery into different 7'5 positions with respect to the edge: of the blade to vary the width of the slittherebetween ace cordance with the size of -the yarn to be operated upon. The adjustable member has a bearing in which it is rotatabl yinounted ilI'S cylindrical" yarn-engaging portion is disposedeccentrically with, respect to the axis of rotation whreby to the edge of the fixed blade to decrease orincrease l the width of the slit. The Ip'resentimprovement is concerned-particularly with. means for rot'atabiy mounting. the adjustable ele'mentor. eccentricpi n to 'cause'it" to be maintainedwith its-side riri' v variably in exact parallel alinementwith respect to the edge of'the blade withwhich it cooperates "in whatever position of adjustment it maybe-set.

Referring to the drawings, inFi g 2 designates the frame or a well known type: of winding machine earryin ga' rotatable spindle 3- on which the cop orpackage', o is'wo'und; andem 5 bodying a'traversing thread-guide 4 slidable in 1 a traverse-frame 5 and reei-procated longitudir natty of the Winding-spindle to lay theya'rrr in Fig. 2 isanenlarged planview-of the improved 5 devicej i crossing helices which build upthe layers of the positeplates 8- alternate bar's aero'sswhich the yarn draws to give-an unddlatingpourse thereto whereby to apDl y'resi-stanceto its draft." The operation of the machine is: controlled 101i througher fiable stopping-'inechanism, which causesthejarrest of the winding when theyarn breaks or its Supplyis eiihaustedia pivoteddrop wire 9 being provided td initiate the-action of e I stopping-mechanism. 'Ihe drop- Wire 9 is In the present embodiment of the invention 'm pended from a pivot 10 and provided at its lower vendwith a bar 12 under which the yarn 9; draws as it feeds to the thread-guide 4. Upon breakage or exhaustion of the yarn the drop-wire 9' swings under the action of gravity to engage its inner end with a rotatinglsnock-oif wheel 13 Whichthereupon functions to move the bar to release the detent-device' and thereby render the stopping-mechanism active. These parts of the winding machine are all well known to those versed in the art and are referredto herein merely to denote the relation of the drop-wire to the slub-catcher and its method of cooperation therewith. T'

. The present improved generally at 15 in Fig. 1, is shown as mounted on the top of the tension-bracket 16 whichsupports the tension-plates 8 so that the yarn drawing through the'tension-device feeds directly through the slit in the slub-catcher and thence under the crossbar, 12 of the drop-wire 9, tothe package being Wound. It is to be understood, however, thatthe present form 'of slubecatcher or yarncleaner maybe used with different types of winding machines and also applied to other apparatus employed in the transfer of .yarn in various processes of'the'textile art. I Referring to the detailed'views, the present device comprises abase or mounting 20 constructed in the form of a flat. plate having a trough-likechannel or groove 21 extendinglaterally-across its top; it screw 22 passes down ."through a hole in one side of the base or mounting 20 and is screwed into the top of the tensionbracket 16 or other support on which the device ,is mounted with a dowel-pin 23 for holding the side of the base '2 with its outer end beveled oif.

at27 and then curvedtoward the rear, more or less in the shape of a knife blade. The blade is secured against its-seat 24 on the base 20 by means ofa pair of screws 28. The screws 28 are also employed to attach a'relatively thin shee*-= metal clamp-member orplate to the top of the blade 25. The clamp-member 30, shown in per- I spective view in Fig. 6,"provides' a bearing for the other operative member of the slub catcher constituted by the rotatableeccentric;pin- 35. Referring particularlyto Fig. 5 of the drawings, the clamp-member or plate30 is clamped I down against the top of the blade 25va'nd pro v jects outwardly beyond its edge 26 to bridge'the top-of the channel orgroove 21. The projecting portion 'of the clamp-member 30 is slittedat31,

see 'Fig. 6, to form three tines orfingers 32, 33 and 34 which-are curved or of arcuate shape fora purpose as later explained. A fourth fi nger 0 36 isibent upwardly in inclined relation to-thetop of the clamp-member 3 0- to provide.a rest'orstop for "the crossbar v12 'ofthe dro flvile ,9, its cooperative relation therewith. being shown in, Fig.

- land illustrated diagrammatically ,inFig- 4 of fthe drawings. r

' The adjustable member or eccentric pin slub-catcher. indicated.

In .the

is constructed with a bearing portion 3'7 of slightly enlarged diametervformed eccentric with re spect thereto,see Figs. 2 and 4. The enlarged bearing portion 37 of the pin 35 is disposed with its side engaging the edge of the-blade 25 throughout that portionof its length which is supported on top ofthe base 20, with theeccentric portion of the pin extending outwardly in parallel spaced relation with respect to the working edge of the blade. The bearing portion 3'7 of the eccentric pin 35 seats upon a raised boss or ledge 40 in the-bottom'of the channel or groove 21 in the base 20,'the surface of the boss'being finished to'provide alevel rest to hold the pin in aline-f ment with the edge of the blade 25.

The bearingportion 3'? of the eccentric pin 35 is clamped in firm engagement with the edge of the blade'25 by means of the tines or springfingers 32, 33 and 34 on the holder or clampmember 30. The two fingers 32 and 34 encom-' passa portion of the enlarged bearing ,end 37 of the pin, while thecentral finger =33 fits within a circumferential groove'or-recess 41 formed substantially mid-way of the portion 37 of the pin 35.

Through this-arrangement the finger 33 is adapted to. hold the eccentric pin 35 from longitudinal movement by engagement with the ends of the groove-orrecess 41.

The outer end-,of the pin 35 is hexagonal socket42 for receiving a wrench by means of which the pin is rotated in its bearing.

On one side of the channel or groove 21 in the provided with a .baseZO is an upri ht finger 43 which serves as a stop. to limit the swinging movement of the drop-1 wire '9 when the latter operatesto set the stopping-mechanism in motion.

The parts of thedevice are assembled by at- I 'tachingthe blade 25 to the base 20 with the clamp-plate: 30'he1d down against the top of the blade by means of the screws 28.. The eccentric pin. or adjustable element 35 of the device is placed in the channel orgroove 21 in the top of the base20 with its bearing portion 37 resting on top of the seat 40 and the spring-fingers 32, 33

andj341of the'clamp-member 30 engaged across the top thereof; the central finger 33 fitting into the peripheral groove 41 in the pin to lock it against longitudinal movement.

To adjust the width of the slit or opening be-,

tween the side of the pin 35 and the edge of the fixed blade 25 a wrench of suitable type is inserted into thehexagonal socket 42 in-the end of the pin to turn the latterinits bearing. It has been noted that the main portion of the pin 35 is formed ec-- centric with respect to the axis of its bearing por- 'tion 37 and, consequently, when the pin is rotated by means of the wrench the side of thepin adjacent the edge of the blade 25 will be adjusted towardand awaytherefrom. The pressure of the spring-fingers 32,33 and 34 maintains the bearl ing portion3'7 of the pin clamped firmly against the edge of the blade 25 to hold the side 'of the T pin in alinement with the working edgeof the blade and further provides a slight frictional re-- sistanceto the rotation of the pin, so that it is prevented from unwarranted turning movement.

The yarn y is drawn up-from is source of supply; usually arranged below, passed through the tension-device 7 as shown in Fig land led through the. slit or opening between the side of the pin 25 and the edge rthe blade 25. {Thence the yarn draws under the crossbar 12 of the drop wire 9 and leading up to'the thread-guide 4 is traversed by the latter longitudinally of the winding- 1.

I explained.

her 50 is'a relatively narrow centrally-disposed "idioms? spindle a to wind it thereonf' Duringthe passage of the yarn through the slub-catcheror cleaner the sides of the slit act to scrape lint, flufi; "motes,

and other foreign matter from its surfaceand ,when a knot, bunch-, slub orother enlargement leased and caused tocooperate with the rotating knock-off wheel 13 whichvreleases the detentfs to initiate the operation of the stopping-mechanism. The operation of the winding machine is thereby arrested so that'thejoperator mar emove "the imperfect portion of theya'rnand piece p the end to again prepare the machinefor Winding;

'In Figsi 7 "and 8 of the"drawings"the invention is shown as embodied in a modifiediorm of construction wherein a ratchet 'is provided for posiv tivel'y controlling the rotation of the adjustable element whichcooperates with the edge of the fixed blade 25 to form the 'slit through which the a yarn draws; provision for adjustment of thejdevice in this case being made-by constructing the ratchet teeth differentdepths as will be later 1 In this latterformi of construction thbyliii- 'dricalrodor pin is of'substantially the same form as thatiirst described, but its bearingiportion 46 is made concentric with the axis-of the pin in- "stead of being offset or eccentrically disposed respect thereto. The bearing portion 46 ofthepin '45 is provided at either end with a series of ratchet teeth l7, the outer'periphery orpoin'ts of which while the inclined flat portions of r the teeth are 7 arranged eccentric with respect thereto. Referring to Fig. 3, it will beseentha't' thesuccessive' teeth are of varying depth, the" deepest tooth being at 48 and thefremainingfiteeth being of gradually less depth around to-the tooth 49whioh is of least depth l 1 V a As inthe gform of constructionfirst described the adjustable member or pin 45 is arrangedwith its inner end resting on the seat 'ori'est 40-iin the center of the channel 21 in the base 20 and its edgeof the fixed blade 25 with one of the teeth engaging the bottom edge of the blade. The clamp-blade 56' is or substantially the same form V as illustrated in Fig. 6 except that its curved pore tion 51 is not dividedinto a plurality o'f'-fingers.

Referring to Fig.7 the curved extension :51 on the blade 50 overlies the-top of the' toothed bearing portion 46 of the pin 45-"to,.eng'age against the peripheral edges of the teeth 47. At the outer end of the curved portion 51 of the clamp-memfinger 52 which projects into a peripheralgroo've 53 formed inthe bearing portion 46 of the pin.

The finger 52 engagesthe sides of thegro'ove 53 to prevent longitudinal moveinentof the pin 45 'in its bearing. v

In adjusting the pin 45 to vary the width of j the slit between its periphery andthe edgeof the'fixed blade 25 a wrench is inser'ted intothe' hexagonal socket 42 in the end of thepin to rotate the later in a clockwise direction. As the'pinis rotated in this manner the teeth 47fon its bearing portion l6 will engagesuccessively with the to the axis of the pina relative lateral adjustment adjustedinto close associationjwith the edge of of the fixedb1ade25rotation inthe oppositedirem ,tion isprevented'by the engagement of the teeth fixedL-blade 25xtogscrape its sidesclean while present invention-provides a particularly conipact, simple and efficient slubcatcherj or yarnare formedconcentricwiththe axis or the pin] e f-"this element for I cleaning the parts when re- 'blade 25 the pressure of the spring extension 51 on the clamp-blade {'50: will cause the pin to be;

the blade 25-150providea minimumwidth of slit v j therebetween. I Now, as the pin. is rotated j in a clockwise 'directionthe successive teethof lesser depth will come into engagement with the edge of the blade 25 to gradually force the pin 45' away from the blade In :Fig. 8- ofvthe drawings the ,pin45is shown as adjusted withthe tooth, 49

of minimum'depth'enga'ged with theedge'of the blade 25 "and with this setting of the ,pin" the; slit betweenits side and the edge of, the-blade 590 will be opened tomaximuin width. V f v Withthe last describedform of construction as the spin 45 isturned in a clockwise direction to adjust its side toward and away fromthe edge 26 with the blade; the pressure of the teeth against terform of-construetion is substantially; the same e. as thatof -the embodiment first described; the

yarn'beingdrawn-ithrough the slit or opening betweenthe side of the pin 45 andwthe edge ofthe preventing'the passage .ofslubs, knots in and enlargements through the v device.

It:.will be' obs'erved from the foregoing that the cleaner which may be manufacturedat relatively low cost., The clamping arrangement forthe' adjustableeleirient of the device insures that the side of the pin shall always be maintained in correct alinement with the edge of the scraper blade .15 25 without dependence upon'screws, nuts or other forms of fastening means for holding'it in place.

tatable adjustable element: permits the removal 1 quired, while also; adapting it:to befreadily. replaced when it'becomes worn. As another feature offimp'rovement it wil l be noted thati'thedevice is practicallynproof against V being tampered with, for even, though the pinbe I pried away from the edgeof the scraper blade 25' the resiliency of the springclamp will cause: it

[to be automatically brought backinto place with 1 the slit maintained of uniform width throughout its length; Where the winding or :other..=work performed onfthe machine is being doneon a -'piece *work"' basis-it is sometimes the practice of operators-to pry: open the'slubec atcher to: al-

low thelpassage "of slti.bs',kln'i bs and bunches 'therethrou'gh soas tolhave less stoppages inthe winding orlotherioperationa The present device isdesig'ne'd'toprevent'isuch unauthorized tam- -peringj with or 'rnalad-justn ent. of the. slub- "catcher; the adjustment of the width of the slit being capable .of accomplishment only Qthrough 145 W V 1 "the use of a special wrench which is held by the lowerjedge of the blade 25, and "since the fiat f portions or the teeth are eccentric withrespect 'for'emanorother authorized person attending the l machines ii I; w v

v While .thepresentimproved slub-catchermr, yarncleaher 1 hereindescribed and illustrated r150 1 "as embodiedin a preferred form oficonstruction andishown. with one'modification of its arrangement, it is to be understoodthat further changes in the'design and structure ofits parts maybe made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

'1. In aslub-catcher oryarn-cleaner, the com bination of a stationary scraper-element adapted to engage-,the. yarn, a'cylindrical pin arranged substantially parallel with respect to the. stationary element to 'form a longitudinal slit 'therebetween through which the yarn draws, said pin having an enlargedeccentric bearing portionengaging against the edge of the stationary element, and means for holding the bearing portion of the pinclamped against theedge of thefirst element to maintain said elements in uniform spaced relationship. l

2. In a slub-catcher or yarn-cleaner,cth e com -binatio'n of an 'e1ement having an edge-across which the yarn is adapted. to draw, a second element having a. bearing. abutting the edge of the first element throughout a,portion of its length and a portion extendingltherebeyond with its side in parallel spacedrelation: with respect to said edge, and resilient clamping means for maintaining the second element engaging against theedge of the first element.

3.'In a-device of the'type specified,;thecombi- I nation of afixed-bladehaving 'an' edge across' which the yarn is adapted to draw, a pin having a bearing portion of enlarged diameter engaging against the fixed blade to hold the pin with its side in parallel spaced relation with. respect to the edge of the blade to form aslit for the yarn, and a resilient clamp for holding the pin with its bearing portion 'pressediagainst. the

blade." 1

4. In a device of th type specified, the comthe pin against the edge. of theblade toppermit' turning movement of :the pin whereby its side may be adjusted toward and .away' from the edge of the blade to vary the widthlof the slit therebetween.

" s 5. In a device of vthe typespe'cified, thecombination of a support,a blade fixed: to said sup-' port and having an edge" projecting :laterally therefrom, a pin. arranged :with; its side in opend disposed eccentric to its 'axis, andga spring-f clamp engaging 3 over the bearing portion of '-the pin to hold it in fixed relationwith respect to the blade while adapting it. to be turned-to-adjust its side'to'ward and away from theedgeof the blade to vary the width of theslit therebetween.

6. In adevice'of the type specified theycombe'turned to adjust its side toward and away from the edge of the blade;

7. In a device of the type specified, the com-i with respect to the edge of the blade.

bination; of a'base having a ichannel extending laterally thereof formed with a seat in its bottom, a' blade secured tothefbase with its edge overhanging the side of the channel, a pin extending'parallel with the edge of the bladev and having anenlarged bearing portion disposed ec centric to its axis resting on theseat in the channel and bearing against the edge of the -blade and a. clamp engaging over the bearing .portion of the pin to hold-the latter on its seat to begturned to adjust the side of the pin toward and away fromthe edge of the blade to its edgeoverhanginglhe sidebf the channel, a

.pin having'an enlarged eccentric portion seated .in the channel with its side abutting the edge of the fblade, and: a clamp-member secured to the top of the blade and having curved spring fingers engaging across the top of the bearing portion of the pin to hold the latter seated in thechannel with-its side engaging the edge of the blade and its main portion-projecting in opposite parallel spaced relation with respect thereto.

-9.;In-a device of the type specified, the com: bination of a. base, a blade fixedly'secured to the base with its edge extending laterally therefrom,- a pin having an enlarged eccentric portion bearing against the edge of v the blade with its main portion extending in parallel spaced relation with respectto said edge, and a clamp-member provided with a-plurality otspring-fingers engaging aroundgthe bearing; portion of the pin, said Yabuttingthe edgeof the blade while adapting it I bearingportionofthe pin formed with a pe- .riphera'l, groove engaged by one of the. springfingers on the clamp-member'to hold the pin against. longitudinal movement. I

10. In a devicefof thetype specified, the combinationiof a base,a blade secured to said base and having a yarn-scraping edge projecting laterally therefrom, a pin having a bearing portion formed with ratchet teeth adapted to engage the edgefofithe blade to hold the pin in parallel spaced relation with respect to the yarn-scraping edge of .the blade, and resilient means for. holding the hearing portion of the pin against the blade to adapt it to be turned to adjust the side of the pin laterally with respect to the-edge of the blade.

and provided with a yarn-scraping edge projecting laterallytherefrom, a pin formed with a bearing portion having a series of teeth of difposite spaced relation with respect to the, edge-10f" the blade and having a bearing portion. at one feren't 'depth adapted to be successively engaged with the edge of the blade, and resilient means gfor -holdingthepin withits bearing portion enchannel andprojecting beyond the side of the base, a pin seated in the channel in the base and provided with an enlarged bearing portion having teeth of. graduated depths adapted. to engage with thelower edge of the blade, and a spring-member having a resilientcurved por- ;tion overhanging the topiof the bearing portion of the pin to hold the latter against its seat while adapting it tobe turned to successively engage the teeth with the edge of the bladewhereby to adjust the side of the pin laterally with respect to the edge of theblade, r

13. Ina device of the type specified, the combination of a base having a channel extending laterally thereof, a blade secured to the base cured to the top of the blade and having a curved portion overhanging the top of the bearing por-,

tion of the pin with a finger engaging the groove therein to hold thelpin frorn longitudinal movement and clampit-against the edge of the blade to adapt it to be turned to bring the successive teeth into engagement with theedge of the blade to adjust the sideof the 'pil'llil lateral relation with respect to the edge of the blade. I

14; In a slub-catcher or yarnecleaner, the combination of a support, a blade mounted on said support with its edge in position to engage the yarn, a pin having a bearing portion of enlarged diameter (engaging directly against the edge of 7' the blade to position the side of the pin in spaced relation to said edge, and means for clamping the bearing portion of the pin against the edge of the blade. g

EDWARD E. PARKS. 

